Hard to reach fracture applicator strap

Abstract

There may be provided a hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly ( 10 ). The assembly ( 10 ) includes a bottom portion ( 12 ); a stiffener ( 20 ) in contact with the bottom portion ( 12 ); a large pouch portion ( 16 ) in contact with the stiffener ( 20 ); a small pouch portion ( 18 ) in contact with the stiffener ( 20 ); and a top portion ( 14 ) in contact with at least one of the large pouch portion ( 16 ) and the small pouch portion ( 18 ).

1 . A hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly, the assembly comprising:
 a) a bottom portion;   b) a stiffener in contact with the bottom portion;   c) a large pouch portion in contact with the stiffener;   d) a small pouch portion in contact with the stiffener; and   e) a top portion in contact with at least one of the large pouch portion and the small pouch portion.   
     
     
         2 . The hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion and the top portion have a shape selected from the group consisting of bow-tie, oval, rectangular, elliptical, lozenge, navicular, oblong, and triangular. 
     
     
         3 . The hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion and the top portion are made of a material selected from the group consisting of polymers, synthetic fabrics, and natural fabrics. 
     
     
         4 . The hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising edging and stitching. 
     
     
         5 . The hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the large pouch portion and the small pouch portion are arranged to provide a space D around a perimeter of the stiffener, and the space D may range from about 0.1 inches to about 1 inch. 
     
     
         6 . The hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the large pouch portion and the small pouch portion each have one or more weighted compartments. 
     
     
         7 . The hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the weighted compartments each further comprise a weight selected from the group of metal pellets and plastic pellets. 
     
     
         8 . The hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the large pouch portion has four compartments and the small pouch portion has two compartments. 
     
     
         9 . The hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion, the stiffener, and the top portion each include an opening. 
     
     
         10 . The hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the openings are co-axial when assembled. 
     
     
         11 . The hard-to-reach fracture applicator strap assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the openings are shaped and dimensioned to receive a retaining and alignment fixture. 
     
     
         12 . A method of applying ultrasound energy in hard to reach places, comprising:
 strapping an ultrasound transducer to a patient using a fracture applicator assembly, the assembly including:   a) a bottom portion;   b) a stiffener in contact with the bottom portion;   c) a large pouch portion in contact with the stiffener;   d) a small pouch portion in contact with the stiffener; and   e) a top portion in contact with at least one of the large pouch portion and the small pouch portion.